Let’s be real—there’s a weird kind of peace in seeing the world end… but just on TV. Shows about after the end give us the best spot to watch the last bits of humans fight on, with zombies, sickness, or full breakdowns. As our real world still goes on (for now), these shows dig into how to stay alive, what is right, and how to cook with canned food—all from our sofas. The Last of Us may be the top new one in this genre, but it didn’t get there by itself. Lots of shows set the mood and style before it. So, let’s list ten big post-end shows, and start with a well-known one about the dead…
10. The Walking Dead — The Blueprint for Gritty Survival
When The Walking Dead hit TV screens back in 2010, it didn’t just bring zombies with it—it redefined what a post-apocalyptic show could be. For more than a decade, it kept viewers glued with its emotional arcs, shocking character deaths, and a constant, looming question: What would you do to survive? With 11 seasons and nearly 200 episodes, this series became the go-to reference for end-of-the-world television. It wasn’t just about zombies—it was about people, choices, and how quickly civilization can unravel.
9. Station Eleven — Finding Beauty After the Collapse
Not every post-apocalyptic story is all doom and despair. Station Eleven manages to find something quietly beautiful in the ashes of society. Set after a devastating flu wipes out most of humanity, the show chooses to focus on art, hope, and human connection. It’s a different take on the genre—slower, more reflective, and oddly comforting. Rather than showing us how ugly people can get when things fall apart, it reminds us of the beauty we carry with us, even when everything else is gone.
8. The Last Man on Earth — A Comedic Look at Isolation
End of the world? Cue the jokes. The Last Man on Earth asks: What happens when you’re the only person left alive (or so you think), and you still manage to mess things up? This offbeat comedy puts loneliness and survival on a hilarious collision course. Instead of brutal combat and grim sacrifices, we get awkward encounters, ridiculous behavior, and surprisingly tender moments. It proves that even in a deserted world, human connection—and humor—are what keep us going.
7. Sweet Tooth — A Fairytale in the Ruins
Part sci-fi, part fairytale, Sweet Tooth follows a young boy named Gus—a human-deer hybrid—through a world left broken by a deadly virus. What makes this show stand out isn’t just its originality, but its heart. It’s told with a sense of wonder, even as the characters face real danger. The visuals are lush, the storytelling is warm, and it never forgets that even in the darkest times, there’s still innocence worth protecting. It’s post-apocalyptic storytelling with a soul.
6. The 100 — Survival, Sci-Fi, and Tough Choices
What if humanity had to return to a destroyed Earth after living in space for nearly a century? That’s the premise behind The 100, and it doesn’t pull any punches. From day one, the show dives into survival ethics, broken alliances, and what it really means to lead. With a young cast making life-and-death decisions, the series gets intense fast—and stays that way. It blends science fiction with raw human drama, proving that surviving is one thing, but rebuilding is another beast entirely.
5. Z Nation — The Wild Ride You Didn’t See Coming
If The Walking Dead is the serious older sibling, Z Nation is its loud, unpredictable cousin. This show leans into the chaos, mixing campy humor with zombie carnage. It follows a crew trying to escort the one known survivor of a zombie bite across the country, and along the way, things get… weird. But that’s kind of the charm. It’s fun, fast-paced, and not afraid to get goofy. For fans who want something a little less brooding and a little more bonkers, Z Nation delivers.
4. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live — A Reunion Worth Waiting For
Not all spin-offs are created equal, but The Ones Who Live manages to bring something special to the table. By reuniting beloved characters Rick and Michonne, the show gives longtime fans the closure and action they’ve been craving. It’s not just a retread of the original series; it digs deeper into the emotional journeys of two people shaped by loss, love, and survival. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the end of one story is just the beginning of another.
3. The Last of Us — Redefining the Apocalypse
Let’s be honest—The Last of Us came out swinging and didn’t disappoint. It took a game people already loved and turned it into a show that hit just as hard, if not harder. At the center of it all are Joel and Ellie, two people just trying to survive in a world that’s completely fallen apart. It’s not just about fighting off infection—it’s about the emotional weight of it all: grief, trust, love, and the hard choices no one wants to make.
Season 1 was a hit pretty much across the board. Season 2? A little more mixed. Some fans weren’t into the slower pacing or where the story went, and yeah, the ratings dipped. But even with the pushback, the show is still pulling in massive numbers. Whether the next seasons live up to the hype or not, The Last of Us has already cemented its place as a genre-defining series.
Why do we love tales of the world’s end? Is it the buzz, the urge to know, or just the joy of seeing folks live on with just tape and grit? But there’s more to it. These tales cut life to the core: no laws, no daily grind, just folks learning who they are when all they know is lost. That big ask—”Who am I with no world I know?”—hits us hard. With The Last of Us upping the game, the theme has shot off in new ways. Some shows tug on the heart, some mix dark laughs, and some toss in magic or plain odd stuff. It’s not just about making it now—it’s about the next step. As long as the folks who make these keep it fresh, we’ll keep our eyes on the screen. Since let’s face it: when the world shuts down in a show, we’re all set to see what’s up next.